HXC Chapter43

Because of Shen Yanqing’s half-true, half-false nonsense, Ji Zhen never dared to mention agreeing to Shen Yanqing taking a concubine again. The Shen parents also refused all matchmakers who came to the door because of Shen Yanqing’s forceful attitude.

 

However, even though Ji Zhen was living in the west wing, there was not much difference from when he lived in the main room. Every night, Shen Yanqing would show up at the door of the west wing. It was useless for Ji Zhen to lock the door, so in the end, he just gave in.

 

But he never expected Shen Yanqing to actually feed him some unknown medicine. On the third night, Ji Zhen was in a daze when a sweet sugar pill was suddenly put into his mouth. Before he could react, Shen Yanqing used his tongue to push the sugar pill to the back of his throat. He couldn’t spit it out and swallowed it with a gulp.

 

When he heard Shen Yanqing say that he had given him the secret medicine from Southern Xinjiang, Ji Zhen covered his stomach and cried in despair. He tried to dig the sugar pill out, but it had already melted into a liquid and merged into his stomach.

 

At first, he had suspected that Shen Yanqing was just tricking him, but after he ate the sugar pill, Shen Yanqing would find a way to make sure that his contents remained inside his belly during their intimate acts. Only the next morning would he allow him to clean up. The world is full of strange things, and Ji Zhen gradually came to believe that there really was such a thing as a secret medicine from Southern Xinjiang.

 

He did not dare tell Ji An about this shameful matter and was restless day and night. Whenever he had a moment to himself, he couldn’t help but touch his stomach, terrified that it would swell up day by day as Shen Yanqing had said.

 

He sincerely regretted agreeing to Shen Yanqing’s remarriage, which had brought disaster upon himself. He also genuinely resented Shen Yanqing’s ridiculous behavior, he had never heard of a man becoming pregnant. If he were to set this precedent, wouldn’t he be observed as a monster?

 

Ji Zhen became more and more resistant to being intimate with Shen Yanqing, and in one struggle, he unintentionally slapped Shen Yanqing.

 

After the slap, Ji Zhen didn’t even dare to move. Shen Yanqing’s head was turned by the slap, half his face submerged in shadow, and he watched him in silence. Ji Zhen shivered and cowered, the tingling sensation in his palm reminding him of what he had done. He hid his hands while his eyes filled with panic.

 

Shen Yanqing took his hand and placed it on the side of his slapped face. Instead of getting angry, he smiled and even praised him, “Well done.”

 

There was no anger in Shen Yanqing’s eyes, but Ji Zhen was still afraid that he would retaliate. When Shen Yanqing placed a soft cushion under his waist, he no longer argued.

 

All his unwillingness was like a caged animal’s struggle.

 

It hadn’t snowed much after spring started, but the weather was still cold.

 

Ji Zhen had been feeling depressed at the Shen Mansion for quite a while already. Ji An noticed his gloom and, after repeatedly trying to persuade him, finally got him to agree to go out for a spring stroll to ease his mind.

 

The market was as lively as ever. Ji Zhen bought a rabbit-shaped candy painting and followed the crowd forward.

 

Ji An protected him and said strangely, “Why are there so many people?”

 

Ji Zhen was also curious. He asked a passerby and learned that a public execution was being held on the street today. Minister He’s son, relying on his father’s influence, oppressed both men and women and had for years secretly raised heavy taxes to exploit the common folk. His crimes were too numerous to list, so he was to be beheaded in public.

 

Ji An craned his neck. “Young Master, I’ve never seen a beheading before…”

 

Ji Zhen was afraid of gore. He bit into his candy painting. “If you want to go, go by yourself. I don’t want to see a bloody mess.”

 

What was so good about watching a beheading? Wasn’t he afraid of having nightmares?

 

Ji An had no choice but to give up the idea. “Then I won’t go either.”

 

The master and servant were about to walk against the flow of the crowd when a carriage passing by them suddenly stopped. The curtain was lifted—it was Li Muhui.

 

Ji Zhen tried to pretend he didn’t see him by lowering his head and quickening his pace. But Li Muhui called out to him, “Why don’t you greet when you see this highness?”

 

He pursed his lips unhappily, turned, and bowed. “Your Highness.”

 

He thought that after he bowed, Li Muhui would let it go, but Li Muhui instead said, “Get on the carriage and come with this highness to the execution ground.”

 

Ji Zhen looked up and said directly, “I don’t want to watch a beheading.”

 

Li Muhui smiled. When Ji Zhen had walked two steps away, he said in a low voice, “Then do you want to know where your elder brother is now?”

 

Ji Zhen’s hand, which was holding the wooden stick of the candy painting, tightened. He turned back to look at Li Muhui with hesitation.

 

Shen Yanqing had been keeping him informed of his elder brother’s recent situation, but he still didn’t want to miss even the slightest bit of news about his elder brother.

 

He thought for a moment and said, “Can my attendant come with me?”

 

Li Muhui raised an eyebrow. “Of course.” He then looked at the few Shen family guards following Ji Zhen at the end of the street and held out his hand to Ji Zhen.

 

Ji Zhen only gave the candy painting to Li Muhui and climbed onto the carriage himself. Once inside, he found the seat furthest away from Li Muhui and sat down.

 

Li Muhui shook the translucent rabbit candy painting. “You don’t want this anymore?”

 

Noticed that the other party had no intention of moving, Ji Zhen had to sit closer to take it back.

 

The carriage continued to move forward. Ji Zhen was worried about his elder brother and asked, “Your Highness, can you tell me now?”

 

Li Muhui said with a smile, “No rush. After this highness watches the execution, this highness will tell you in detail.”

 

Ji Zhen immediately felt cheated. He was angry but didn’t dare to speak up. He bit off half of the rabbit’s ear fiercely.

 

Noticed his eyes widen and his cheeks puff out. Li Muhui asked with interest, “How does it taste?”

 

Ji Zhen had a deep-seated aversion to Li Muhui. He glanced at him and replied indifferently, “Your Highness can try it yourself to find out.”

 

“You have a point.”

 

Li Muhui nodded and actually sat down next to Ji Zhen, then grabbed the wooden stick of the candy painting.

 

Ji Zhen was startled. He quickly bent down, got up, and backed away two steps. “This is mine. If Your Highness wants a taste, I will have my attendant get off the carriage and buy you one.”

 

He looked at Li Muhui nervously, and the candy painting in his mouth immediately lost its sweetness.

 

Li Muhui gave a half-smile. “No need.” He then patted the seat next to him. “Come here, we’re almost there.”

 

Ji Zhen cautiously sat down across from Li Muhui. Fortunately, the other party didn’t say anything more.

 

The carriage stopped in front of the packed execution ground. Li Muhui did not get off the carriage but only half-lifted the curtain to look out. Ji Zhen also took a look. The public outrage was tremendous. The surrounding people were constantly cursing and throwing rotten leaves and stones at Minister He’s son, who was kneeling on the execution platform.

 

Li Muhui said with a serious expression, “Just a beheading is too easy for him.”

 

Fearing a bloody scene, Ji Zhen only stared at his candy painting.

 

 

“Not long ago, this highness was just discussing this with Minister Shen. He also felt that such a quick death was too lenient.” Li Muhui’s gaze slowly fell on the uneasy Ji Zhen. “What’s your opinion?”

 

Ji Zhen shook his head. “I don’t understand criminal law, Your Highness. Don’t ask me.”

 

Li Muhui enjoyed Ji Zhen’s apprehension and continued, “This highness remembers you went to Jiangnan with Minister Shen back then.”

 

Ji Zhen was confused as to why the other party brought up old matters. He looked up in bewilderment.

 

“The crimes of the Governor of Jiangnan were too numerous to recount. The way Minister Shen handled it was very much to this highness’s liking.”

 

Ji Zhen’s pupils were slightly constricted, the corpse of the Governor of Jiangnan had its eyes gouged out and tongue cut off, and even his lower body was removed. His death was extremely gruesome.

 

Taking advantage of his shock, Li Muhui grabbed him and pulled him close while pressing the back of his neck and forcing him to look directly at the execution ground. Ji Zhen immediately closed his eyes but couldn’t stop the scene that had already occurred from drilling into his mind. He saw the executioner’s blade rise and fall, and that minister’s son’s blood splattered three feet high. His bloody head rolled to the side with a thump.

 

He was so frightened that he couldn’t even scream.

 

Li Muhui held him loosely, seemingly very pleased with his reaction, and laughed heartily. “Do you know why the Crown Prince failed and why your father and elder brother fell? The Great Heng Empire is full of beasts. Too much benevolence is just a burden, and you are restrained by others everywhere…”

 

When Ji Zhen heard him mention his father and elder brother, hatred flared up in his heart. He opened his eyes and, disregarding the consequences, bit down on Li Muhui’s thumb joint. Two flames burned in his eyes as he glared at the other party.

 

Li Muhui frowned, pinched Ji Zhen’s cheeks to make him let go, and then snatched the candy painting and stuffed it into Ji Zhen’s mouth. He sneered, “Ji Zhen, what skills do you even have? Is it just that face of yours? If it weren’t for Shen Yanqing’s sake, this highness would have…”

 

The carriage curtain was suddenly pulled open, and the light flooded in.

 

Ji Zhen felt a moment of trance before he was pulled into a warm embrace. The person’s palm pressed his face to their chest. He couldn’t see anything, only hearing a familiar voice as cold as frost and snow. “Your Highness, have some self-respect.”

 

Ji Zhen was carried down from the carriage by Shen Yanqing. He smelled the bloody scent in the air, and his stomach immediately churned. He struggled to stand steadily and then ran to the side of the road, where he vomited a mouthful of sour water.

 

He never wanted to eat a candy painting again in his life.

 

After returning to the mansion, Ji Zhen came down with a high fever and was plagued by nightmares. In his dreams, there was a rolling head on the execution ground, the terrifyingly dead Governor of Jiangnan, and Shen Yanqing standing in a pool of blood. The white clothes he was wearing were soaked in thick blood, which turned into the scarlet scholar’s uniform worn during the street parade and into a peony flower thrown at Ji Zhen.

 

“I don’t want it, take it…”

 

Ji Zhen was drenched in cold sweat and suddenly opened his eyes.

 

Ji An shouted anxiously, “He’s awake! Young Master is awake! Physician!”

 

Ji Zhen clasped his empty hand and let out a sigh of relief. This time, thankfully, he hadn’t accepted the red peony Shen Yanqing offered him in the dream.

 

The physician took Ji Zhen’s pulse and said, “The Young Madam is simply suffering from extreme shock. Take three doses of calming medicine and get some good rest.”

 

Ji An patted his chest. “Young Master, is there anything else that’s bothering you?”

 

Ji Zhen looked around with his hazy eyes. He propped himself up and realized he was in the main wing. He first looked around the room. Ji An understood and said, “Lord Shen left the mansion after he brought you back.”

 

Ji Zhen nodded and said, “Ji An, you go out first. I have something to ask the physician.”

 

Ji An was confused, but he still left at Ji Zhen’s urging.

 

Ji Zhen found it very hard to speak. He mumbled, “Physician, will a woman throw up when she is pregnant?”

 

Although the physician was puzzled, he honestly replied, “Yes, but the reaction can vary in severity depending on the mother’s body.”

 

Ji Zhen’s face turned pale. He remembered the sour liquid he had vomited near the execution ground and fearfully touched his abdomen.

 

“Physician, can you… give me a prescription for…” He said with great difficulty, “abortion.”

 

The physician, who was over fifty years old, was shocked. “Young Madam, why?”

 

Ji Zhen said, “Just write the prescription. Don’t tell anyone.”

 

The physician let out a couple of “Ah,” wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and, not wanting to pry into the secrets of a noble family, he took out a brush and paper. After a moment, he quickly wrote a prescription and handed it to Ji Zhen. He couldn’t help but advise, “Young Madam, this is a matter of life and death. This medicine can’t be taken casually.”

 

Ji Zhen clutched the crumpled prescription. He was not a clever person to begin with, and after the shock, his reactions were even slower. After a long while, he finally said “Mm” and forcefully gave the old physician a piece of gold, repeatedly telling him not to spread the word.

 

The physician agreed, packed his medicine box, and left. When he got to the door, the more he thought about it, the more bizarre it seemed. He wanted to grab Ji An and talk to him, but he was afraid of ruining things. He shook his head and sighed.

 

Could it be that this male wife, Ji Zhen, had secretly conceived a child with someone else and wanted to secretly abort it?

 

He mustn’t. He mustn’t.

 

The old physician was shocked. Fearing that something terrible would happen, he lingered in front of the Shen Mansion, not daring to leave. When he saw the Shen family’s carriage approaching, he immediately went up to it. “Lord Shen, this old physician has something to tell you…”